Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-07
THE OPPOSITION FAIR.
Unlawful Proceedings of the Mechanics
Institute Directors


california Spirit OF the Times, June 4thl
The Directors of the Mechanics Insti-
tiute are making mistake in their efforts
to break down and destroy the State Agri-
cultural Society and other kindred asso-
Citations in the State, and we do not know
but that it will be the duty of the Attorney
General of the State to intervene in the
matter. In making some inquiries in re-
gard to it, we find the following to be its
certificate of incorporation
WHEREAS At the annual meeting of the
members OF the Mechanics Institute held in
San Francisco, at q Post street, on the 4th
March, 1869. resolution was passed unani-
mously. instructing the said Directors of the
Mechanic tt Institute to take steps to reincoroor
the Legislature, ETC., entitled IAN Act to pro-
vide for the formation of Chambers of Com
merce, Boards of Trade, Mechanics Institutes
ETC.. approved March 81. 1866" and whereas
the Board of Directors on 9th of July
1867, passed resolution directing the President
to call special meeting of the members of the
Mechanics Institute for the purpose of author
1zing the re-incorporation of said Mechanics
institute and notice of a meeting was pub
llshed in the Bulletin and whereas in accord
ance with notice and legal steps, etc, a meeting
was held and quorum being present, the fol-
vote
Resolved. That the Board of Directors are
directed to re-incorporate the Mechanics Insti-
tate In accordance with said Act
Therefore in accordance, ect., the undersigned
residents OF San Francisco and members and
o ono OF the Mechanics Institute do certify
that we have associated ourselves together for
the purpose of forming a corporation for the
advancement, protection and improvement of
the mechanics, arts and sciences, to be styled
the MechanlcSI Institute and we have agreed
and do hereby agree to enter into the following
agreement:
Article l. Title. &C.
Article 2. Location-San Francisco
Article *. The UNDERSIGNED 81 70 IN
social feeling of friendship, and the mutual i'm
proyement of its members the dissemination of
knowledge by the establishment of a library
and a museum, formation of classes and de-
livery OF lectures for tuition, collection of cab
met scientific apparatus, works ofart, the pur-
chase OF property and erection of buildings for
institute and tor scientific, mechanical and lit
erary purposes.
Article 4. Existence fifty years
Article D. Names of Trustees
Article g. Names of 2S members in number
signed by Washington Bartlett, Robert Watt
W. W. Montague, J. NJ. Eckfeldt, Thomas Ten
nant.
Acknowledged before THIBAULr, Notary, De-
cember t. 1869.
Copy certified by JOHN HANNA, Clerk BERT
McNULTY. Deputy Clerk.
Filed in office, Secretary of State, December
s, 1869. H. L. Nichols
Secretary of State.
BY careful reading of this it will be
seen no power has been conferred upon the
Mechanics Institute to offer any other class
OF premiums save those enumerated IN the
articles OF incorporation. The objects of
the Institute are there set forth, and until
their articles of incorporation are changed
they have no right to do so. Section 5 of
the Act of 1866 provides that the bylaws
may prescribe how members are admitted,
fees, officers, etc. On its face the associa-
ton is not public corporation, like the
State Agricultural Society, and the profits
has no right to exercise the corporate priv
ilege of giving premiums for agricultural
privileges, and as we have intimated above,
the Attorney-General without doubt if APP
pealed to can intervene to prevent the ex-
ercise of such power.